Black Wolf by Juan Gómez-Jurado is an intriguing thriller that keeps you guessing with its twists and turns. The plot is fast-paced and filled with suspense, which makes for an engaging read. However, some character development feels lacking, making it hard to fully connect with their motivations. While the story is entertaining and has some standout moments, it doesn't quite reach the depth that could elevate it further. Overall, it's a solid read for fans of the genre, but it leaves some room for improvement. 3 stars.

A Spanish ‘girl with the dragon tattoo’ and just as readable. Have now gone back to read the first in the trilogy.

Black Wolf, the eagerly awaited follow-up to the fantastic Red Queen and the second novel in the Spanish crime trilogy by Juan Gomez-Jurado, is as much, if not more, fun as its predecessor.

Antonia Scott, the fulcrum of the Red Queen project, and Inspector Jon Gutierrez, Antonia’s protector and helper, are in Marbella in Southern Spain with a seemingly straightforward job. They are to track down Lola Moreno – the wife of a key figure in the Russian mafia in Spain – who is on the run after her husband has his head blown away and a killer attempts to shoot her. Lola is pregnant, diabetic, has no money, and trusts neither the police nor her husband's colleagues. But she is tough and clever – more than one can estimate looking at her pretty face – and manages to evade both the mafia and the police. Though unclear how the case fits the oeuvre of the Red Queen project – an ultra-secret agency tasked with solving crimes of a sensitive, serious, high-profile nature far away from the limelight – the duo pieces together evidence like nobody else can while the local police, as expected, are wary of the specialists from the capital but cooperate with them for the time being. Antonia and Jon's probe uncovers some appalling crimes perpetrated by the dead man and his associates as bodies continue to fall, and the case suddenly becomes personal for Antonia when she witnesses a particular atrocity. Meanwhile, the mafia boss engages a lethal assassin known as the Black Wolf to find Lola. As the paths of the investigators and the assassin converge towards the elusive Lola, a few more actors join the fray, and the Black Wolf's objective shocks everyone.

The pair of Antonia and Jon is, in my opinion, the most unique in the world of crime fiction, and it is an immense pleasure to watch them in action again. Both the characters are extremely likeable, and their interactions are amusingly unpredictable. Antonia, with her singular mind, takes risks that no sane person would take, keeping Jon and the reader continuously worried for her wellbeing. Frustrating and life-threatening though escorting Antonia on the hazardous paths her mind takes her through, Jon does his job splendidly. Antonia's personal demons – a husband who is on his deathbed, a son whose love she is unsure of, and the untameable monkeys inside her supercharged brain – keep plaguing her nonstop, making Jon's job a lot tougher. All the remaining characters, both the recurring and the new ones, are sharply rendered. The plot is crisp and swift, with plenty of action, twists, and heart-stopping moments, making Black Wolf almost impossible to put down. The translation by Nick Caistor and Lorenza Garcia is so natural and fluid that Black Wolf never feels like a translated work. The events towards the end of Black Wolf have poised the Red Queen project – and the readers – on the knife’s edge, and the wait for the next part is going to be unbearable!

I had a terrific time reading Black Wolf and would recommend it to every reader who likes gripping plots, captivating characters, and some top-notch storytelling. While it works well as a standalone, reading its predecessor will enrich the experience greatly.

My heartfelt gratitude to Pan Macmillan for the opportunity to read the Digital Review Copy of Black Wolf through NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review.

Having very much enjoyed the first title in this series, “Red Queen”, I was looking forward to once again meeting Antonia Scott and Jon Gutierrez in the latest instalment of their adventures.

This was another fun, fast-paced story, with enjoyable characters and plenty of action. We get to know the main duo a little better, and I look forward to following them again in the next book in the series.

My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the arc to review.

This is the second book in the Red Queen thriller series. This time the case takes place in Marbella involving the Russian Mafia, human trafficking and assians the follow up really has it all going on.

It was easy to get into the story since we are already familiar with Antonia, Jon and the red queen project. There is further character development and a further insight to their personal lives. I enjoyed the different setting in the book and also getting to know a little bit more of Antonia's backstory. This was well paced and the twists and turns kept me intrigued.

Overall this was a 4 ⭐️ read for me.

I am looking forward to future translations of the series.

Thank you to Netgalley, and Pan Macmillan for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A sequel to the Red Queen, which I will now read,
The Red Queen project works to solve the darkest dangerous crimes around the world. Highly gifted Antonia Scott works to make sure that unsolvable crimes are solved.
A mafia big man is found dead in Marbella, and Antonia and Jon Gutierrez are sent to track down his wife Lola, who has also been the victim of an attempted assassination. But others are looking for her too, including the fabled Black Wolf.
A bit gruesome at times but a great thriller.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC

I really enjoyed this book. I wanted to start with that point because there's enough swearing in it to usually turn me off really liking something, but in this case the way the narrative built up from the previous one made me focus more on the positives than the negatives.

I would not recommend reading this book without the introduction in the previous book. Although a well adjusted reader can get the gist of what they need to know from the references made, it would not be the same.

In the previous book, we had come to know and like the unlikely crime solving duo of an unlikeable lady and fat cop ( to distill the point to its simplest form). In this one, they are called into action again where a woman is missing and the mafia use involved. Nothing is as it seems, and I mean almost nothing. There are parallel narratives to sometimes show us our protagonist's past, but mostly to show us something more about the missing woman and everything that she was involved in.

It's not an easy book. There are a lot of points that are hard to swallow, but our central figures are good people who have their own struggles and it's easier to focus on them if the reality of the others gets too hard to digest.

It's a fast paced book with brilliant translation work since the story is seamless and it's easy to get swept away by it all. I highly recommend this book to people who usually read gritty cop books and like a bit of random humour in the writing style.

I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience of this and the previous book.

I enjoyed this very much. I haven’t read many novels set in Spain and enjoyed the main characters, who were well described and memorable. It was fast paced and well written.

3.5 upped to 4
Entertaining and well plotted but I didn't love it. Maybe it would have been different if I had read the previous novel
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Black Wolf by Juan Gómez-Jurado is a decent follow-up to the first book in the Red Queen series. It delivers the action-packed thrills you'd expect from a crime thriller, with Antonia Scott and Jon Gutiérrez back on the case.

Here's what works: The adrenaline keeps pumping throughout. The central mystery – finding a missing pregnant woman – is intriguing, and the danger Antonia and Jon face is palpable. There's a good balance between pulse-pounding chases and Antonia's unique investigative skills. Plus, the cliffhanger ending will leave you wanting more.

However, the spark felt a little dimmed compared to the first book. The case itself, while suspenseful, might not be quite as captivating as the initial Red Queen project. The pacing can be uneven at times, with some sections feeling drawn out due to overly detailed descriptions.

Overall, Black Wolf is a solid thriller, but it doesn't quite reach the heights of its predecessor. If you're already invested in the series and love Antonia and Jon's dynamic, you'll likely enjoy the ride. But for newcomers, it might be better to start with the first book.

Ooh I have absolutely loved immersing myself back into the world of Jon and Antonia, I have waited so long for this book and it didn’t disappoint! I loved the first book so much and I loved this one too. It’s a gritty story to get your teeth into and yet again, we meet the loveable, dysfunctional characters, who are well executed and create a wanting to be on their team and cheer them on.

I also love the covers of this book series and I’d love to have both books on my shelf, instead of just ebook form. It must be done!

Can you tell I love this book, this series and I can’t wait for book 3 of 3!! Would I recommend this book? Heck yeah, absolutely! What are you waiting for?

I give this book 4.5 stars!!

Thanks so much to NetGalley and all involved in allowing me an ARC copy, for an honest review.

Although I quite enjoyed the paciness of the writing, I have to admit that some events and characters defied belief, and I just couldn't take things seriously because of that.

The second book in the series was very easy to get into now that we know the characters. I enjoyed the development of friendship between Jon and Antonia. It's a fairly standard thriller but it held my attention and I am looking forward to further translations.

I was looking forward to the follow up to Red Queen and Black Wolf, for the most part, delivered. Antonio and Jon form an interesting and indeed intriguing partnership. This time they are dealing with Russian mafia, human trafficking and assassins all in the popular holiday resort of Marbella. This is a classic thriller in some ways with a little comedy thrown in but it is really focussing on the two lead characters.
There is good character development in this novel and the relationship between the two is well portrayed. Unfortunately I found Jon’s continual reference to Antonio as “angel” or “honey” patronising and seriously irritating. After all she is the brains of the operation, he is portrayed as her “minder”, in charge of her meds etc.
This cost the book a star or two but it is still to be recommended and I look forward to the next in the series.
Thanks to NetGalley.co.uk and the publishers for a DRC in exchange for this honest review.

I have not read the first book in the Red Queen series but on reading the second one I did not feel it mattered too much although I do want to read the first one. I really enjoyed this book. Antonia and Jon work for the “police” and are sent on a mission to the Malaga/Costa Del Sol to find out about the murder of a mafia member and to find his pregnant wife who they feel may know more about her husband’s business than thought as it seems that the head of the mafia syndicate is searching for her. The head of the Russian Mafia is desperate to find her and will do anything in his power to stop her from talking. He sends his henchmen and, of course, Antonia and Jon get embroiled in the drama. It gets quite bloody in places and it so well written to can easily visualise what is happening. Antonia and Jon compliment each other, he is relatively laid back in his attitude to life whereas she is on edge all the time and does not suffer fools gladly. She also has a hyper personality which makes her hyper sensitive to personalities and looking at cases in a different way. As the story continues you get to enjoy the characters and their interaction and, of course, they win in the end as all good books should end. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Loved it

This is book 2 in the series. I’ve not read book 1 and I think that may have helped me understand Antonia and Jon’s roles in this a little better.

I struggled to like Antonia - not sure if that is deliberate- but it meant I found her a little frustrating at times.

Other than that, I thought it was a good read. There always seemed to be some action happening.

Many thanks to #NetGalley and #PanMacmillan for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

It’s probably desirable but certainly not essential to have read the first Antonia Scott novel before getting to this one.

Lots to like here for fans of pitch black, humorous thrillers - think Killing Eve - with the quirky crime-fighting duo of the huge (though not fat) Jon and the hot-housed superpowers of Antonia.

Although one of the most successful novelists in Spain, I hadn’t previously read anything by this author and credit must be shared with the translator who does a great job of capturing pace and humour as well as the idiosyncrasies of each character.

With thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In Juan Gomez-Jurado's gripping sequel to the Red Queen series, we rejoin the formidable Alexandra Scott, a highly skilled and gifted forensic genius grappling with her demons. Haunted by guilt over her husband Marcus, who lies in a coma, and is separated from her son Jorge, Alexandra relies on a cocktail of blue and red pills to manage her condition and utilize her extraordinary abilities.

After a period of absence, Alexandra returns to action when the body of Russian mafia member Yuri Voronin is discovered in his lavish home, and brutally shot in the face. The investigation leads Alexandra into a dangerous web of intrigue, with the pregnant and terrified Lola Voronin targeted for violence at a shopping mall. As Alexandra races against time to uncover the truth and protect Lola, she must also confront the looming threat of Peter White, who is determined to track her down.

With pulse-pounding suspense and twists at every turn, Gomez-Jurado masterfully crafts a thrilling narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. As Alexandra navigates the treacherous waters of crime and deception, she must confront her vulnerabilities and fears, making for a gripping and unforgettable read.

The E-Book could be improved and more user-friendly, such as links to the chapters, no significant gaps between words and a cover for the book would be better. It is very document-like instead of a book. A star has been deducted because of this.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

3.5/5.

Juan Gómez-Jurado is already well-loved in France since the past two years or so, obviously thanks to his regional proximity, but also because his thrillers are very efficient. I am excited that he is being translated to English since he also made such an impact in his country, I find it very exciting that a Spanish author gets a spot in the international thriller scene.

Thematically, it deals with politics and corruption in a way that is both very specific to his country, corrupted politics being a plague for Spanish people, but which is also very accessible to a foreign reader. The narrative revolves around the deaths of rich people, in a quite exhilarating way. The pacing of the story is very tense, very suspenseful, although I must say that a certain plot twist was way to easy to guess for a constant thriller reader. The other aspect that could disappoint some people would be the flashbacks, since I know a part of the community does not like a dual temporal. However, the shortness of the chapters allows the book to never drag.

That being said, it was so nice to read something that shakes-up the genre a little bit. The main protagonist, Jon, an established cop, is homosexual, and although it is not what defines him, it definitely gives him some layers and some fun that are very refreshing. Antonia, with whom he works, is the darker character, but again with so many layers that it becomes visceral to root for her. They are a real original duo, not just another pair of bored-out inspectors, and they bring so much life to the story.

To sum up, it is a very interesting suspense book, and volumes 2 and 3 are already available in France so I don’t think I will be able to wait until the English translations!

Love this series! Antonia and Jon make a great duo and I really hope the third novel will get translated soon

This is the millenium series, but better!